Ah….October. One of my favorite months of the year. It holds crisp, clear air, sky so blue you could punch it, leaves whose colors soak into your arteries, and a rich scent of dying things–which is in a paradoxical way a renewing of life.
October also holds my birthday, which turned out to be really fun this year. I wore my birthday gift–one of two new dresses from Ivan–and inadvertently invited company the evening of, not remembering it was the day of my birthday. Annalise’s adopted grandparents, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Ruth, and Joyce, my first Sunday school teacher when I started attending Mountain View, came bearing cards, cake, and a candle. Combined with the laughter and stories, it was a party.
I haven’t been blogging as regularly as I like because I’ve been trying so hard to keep up the creative writing curriculum I am helping to develop for Christian Light Publications. In September, a reader sent me an email titled “Would Love to Hear about Parenting in the Plain Mennonite Community.” I think she brought up a very intriguing subject, and her email raised some interesting points which I want to explore in my next blog post, hopefully next week (though that’s a rather optimistic forecast on my part, considering recent history!)
For now, though, here is an October update.
In early October, Annalise and I visited Grandma Dorothy in Iowa. It was a sweet reunion for Grandma and baby.
Of course, Grandma toys are always the best! Annalise loved putting toy animals in and out of this little bowl.
And Grandma’s crocheted antimacassars (had to look that word up to be sure I was using it correctly!) doubled as shawls and veils.
Also in October, we went on a picnic with the Petre family. After our sandwiches, apples, and cookies, we climbed the look-out tower at the highest point in Pennsylvania. There are eight or nine young Petres (I can never remember unless I have them before me), a father, and a mother, who happens to be poet and writer Sheila Petre. I enjoy her writing so much I’ve published her as a guest on this blog a couple of times: “Why a Mennonite Housewife Cares About the King of Saudi Arabia” and “Antics at an International Potluck.”
And just so you know, Allegra made the trip up and down the (possibly 59?) steps of the tower ten times, and Laurel toted Annalise up and down probably thrice purely from the goodness of her heart.
And here are a few pictures just because.
Sunday afternoon races…
…autumn leaves, selfies…
…and sunshine.
This is just a glimpse of our October. We also had other enjoyable times with friends and family. A friend’s wedding, a few lovely ladies’ parties, and a visit to Ivan’s sister. And work, of course. Ivan harvested beans and managed a shop. I arranged words and managed a baby. A baby full of big personality and decided opinions, I might add. Do all babies have that? Or is that the Kinsinger coming out? ;)
Wishing you all a rich November.
Luci
relationships with grandparents are irreplaceable. Lucky girl.
Yes. So true.
Thanks for this update…..I always enjoy reading what you write. Family times are so special. We traveled to NC (12 hr drive one way) for a grandsons wedding Oct 29. . He was married at Two Rivers church in New Bern, NC. Delightful day for the wedding and trees on the trip were so colorful :)
That sounds lovely!
We’ve been to that tower at Mt Davis! Lovely view there this time of year. My wife grew up in Ligonier, about an hour NW of Mt Davis, and spent her youth skiing those mountains (without injury fortunately).
Your daughter is very photogenic, and those pictures will be blessings as she matures into her adulthood (sometimes that’s a bit rocky and remembering how cute and agreeable she was “then” may be helpful).
It’s not the frequency that you should think of when writing these blog posts. It’s when something comes up in your mind that you have time to express on paper (screen?), then you write.
Always remember that the writing process involves taking in new information and then letting yourself mull that new information over with the old, so that you create something new from the synthesis of both! So you need a period of doing mundane stuff in order to think of something interesting. Right? Then you write.
So I would encourage you to take in some new information daily, but not too much.
Then I would encourage you to have some time to just wash dishes or clean the floor.
Then I would encourage you to have some time to nap. (Brains only work when given sleep.)
And then I would encourage you to have some time in which you have nothing else to do but write.
And that’s about it. New info. Something boring to do which lets you brain subconsciously mull over what you learned. Get some sleep, which really pulls it all together. Time to write it all down.
The most important things in our lives happen in the middle of an ordinary day.
Blessings to you and to your family.
Thanks for sharing.
Good advice. Especially the naps. ;) Such a good thought that the most important things in life happen in the middle of an ordinary day.
Fun times!
Those poor hubbies that really never wanted their photo taken, then marry a photographer type wife, but they try to be good sports anyway! Usually…
I think that cute little girl is a blond version of her grandpa Ted!
I agree!